Perinatal Asphyxia

What is perinatal asphyxia?

Perinatal asphyxia, or birth asphyxia, results from an inadequate intake of oxygen by the baby during the birth process — before, during or just after birth. Decreased oxygen intake can result in chemical changes in the baby's body that include hypoxemia, or low levels of oxygen in the blood, and acidosis, in which too much acid builds up in the blood.

Symptoms

Symptoms of birth asphyxia may not be obvious, but the most common symptoms include: